Congressman Cohen Announces $219,000 Grant for UT Health Science Center

The grant will allow Dr. Wei Li, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, to continue to study the efficacy of new cell-killing agents (beyond traditional chemotherapy and radiotherapy) in the treatment of advanced cases of melanoma, the cause of the majority of skin cancer related deaths.

“I am very pleased that the Department of Health and Human Services is funding Dr. Li’s melanoma research,” said Congressman Cohen. “The UT Health Science Center has established itself as one of the leading cancer research facilities in the world, and I am glad that they are devoting their time and energy to the study of this deadly skin disease.”

Melanoma is arguably the most serious form of skin cancer. It begins in skin cells called melanocytes, which are the cells that make melanin and give skin its color. When skin is exposed to too much ultraviolet light (such as in a tanning booth), the melanocytes may begin to grow abnormally and become cancerous. According to the World Health Organization, almost 50,000 people die from melanoma every year around the world. Currently, the only effective treatment for most advanced cases of melanoma is surgical resection.

For more information on melanoma, please visit www.melanoma.com.

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Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, (202) 225-3265/ (202) 368-9275 (mobile)
Charlie Gerber, Communications Assistant, (202) 225-3265 / (202) 320-2817 (mobile)